John Stuart Mill and the development of English economic thought : a study in the progress of Ricardian orthodoxy

Abstract

It is the purpose of this thesis to trace the development of the thought of John Stuart Millon economic and related social questions, in terms of his own aims and interests, and to offer some account of the nature, means and extent of his influence, against a background of contemporary opinion. Mill is of interest to the historian of economic thought for at least two reasons. In the first place, he was the most able, candid and sensitive of Ricardo's followers. He showed a much greater willingness than McCulloch, James Mill or De Quincey to engage Ricardo's critics on their own ground, and he developed a method of enquiry which enabled him to incorporate new facts (for example, the commercial crisis of 1825-26) and new speculation, without reliance on mere verbal truth. Whether in the process Mill remained true to the spirit of Ricardo's work has yet to be established. But certainly none of Ricardo's other early disciples set out on such an interesting course. Show more